Four people are being treated for injuries they sustained when two motor vehicles crashed on State Highway 2, near Opotiki this afternoon.

Police are at the scene of the crash and say two adults have suffered back injuries while two children have minor injuries.

A ute and a car collided on State Highway 2 this afternoon.

Diversions are in place at SH2 and Toone Road onto Waiotahi Valley Road in both directions.

Police say the injured people will be transported to hospital via a rescue helicopter.

The cause of the crash is not known at this stage and police advise the road will be closed until both cars are removed off the road.

Tauranga TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter pilot and base manager Liam Brettkelly says a car and ute collided head on outside Waiotahi Cafe and Store.He says the driver of the car was trapped for some time and had to be cut free from her car by Opotiki fire crews, she received chest and leg injuries and was flown to Tauranga hospital in a serious condition. "Her passengers, two young boys received minor injuries in the crash and were taken by St John ambulance to Whakatane hospital. "The occupants of the ute appeared to be uninjured."